Sri Lanka's state-run Daily News said Friday in an editorial written after the presidential election ended late Thursday that incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa was sure of "a comfortable victory".
The English language daily said that Rajapaksa, "despite the hard-headed prejudices of the detractors and the international media is almost guaranteed a comfortable victory".
"An opposition victory, as we write, seems to be a figment of the imaginations of various interested parties," it said.
On Friday, Rajapaksa conceded defeat at the hands of opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
